Earlier this week I was discussing with a group of friends the current crop of match-winning centres in the NRL.
We've seen some world-class number threes and fours in the past but never has the role been as important as it is in modern day league.
Centres are now required to defend and run like forwards, ball play like halves and score tries like wingers.
In 2022, we saw some special performances. Narrowing down a top ten was much easier when it came to fullbacks and wingers than it was here.
Some monster performers will miss out below, such was the talent on show in the position in 2022.
Here though are the top ten centres from 2022. As with the previous lists, a player can only qualify if he played more games at centre then other positions. Again, this isn't necessarily the top 10 centres in the game but the ten best performers in 2022.
7. Justin Olam
I'd argue that Justin Olam had a below par season, which says everything about his abilities as his 2022 was monstrous.
10 tries, five try assists, 15 line-breaks, 103 tackle breaks, and 125 metres run per game prove how difficult he is to handle in attack.
The reason I say he was a little under par as there was the odd average game in amongst the carnage. That's something I can't remember from his 2021.
Olam is one of the Storm's relatively unsung heroes. Close to the line he is almost unstoppable. His 2022 was very impressive in difficult circumstances and amongst a big injury toll.
